Cyprus negotiators working to find common ground

Cyprus negotiators working to find common ground

Kudret Ozersay, chief Turkish Cypriot negotiator in the Cyprus talks has said that the negotiators were authorised to consult all international parties involved in the Cyprus negotiations. Speaking to ‘Kibris Postasi’ at Ataturk airport on his way to New York, on Monday, Ozersay said: “This is a United Nations process and we are going to share our opinions with UN officials regarding what should be done for a successful result.”

He also emphasised the need for multidimensional diplomacy adding that contacts and meetings will continue to develop in a way in which Turkish Cypriot interests will be safeguarded.

On Friday, 15th March, Ozersay and his Greek Cypriot counterpart Andreas Mavroyiannis met again. It is reported that they held substantive discussions on issues related to the chapters on Governance and Power Sharing as well as Property in the two and one half hour meeting.

The two negotiators are set to meet again on Tuesday, the 25th of March.

Speaking after last Friday’s meeting, Ozersay said that they were approaching a process of give and take.

Pointing out that they had agreed to resume the process through shuttle diplomacy to be conducted by the UN, Ozersay said that the next meeting on 25th March will focus on resolving the issues where divergences currently exist.

“We shall also be starting preparations at our next meeting for the leaders meeting scheduled to take place on the 31st March. We as the negotiators and our teams plan to hold several official and non-official preparatory meetings in the week leading to the leaders’ meeting,” he added.

Acknowledging that both sides were sensitive on the issue of property, he said that each side had come to terms with some of the UN principles and parameters.

“If we can come to terms with and accept some of the basic established UN parameters then it will be easier to progress.”

Underscoring the importance of protecting the principle of bi-zonality, Ozersay stated: “We held a detailed brainstorming exercise on these issues. Have we reached an agreement on these issues? We do have a basic understanding on reaching a quick agreement on some basic fundamental points. In any case if an agreement and common understanding existed on these issues, the Cyprus issue would have long been solved by now.”